This western half of this trail is good until after it joins the Gila Monster Trail. At the point where the Gila Monster continues north and you’re supposed to leave it and head southeast, the trail peters out and all but disappears. With the help of the downloaded AllTrails map, we were able to find remnants of the old trail but most of it was overgrown and basically gone. The three of us spent lots of time branching out individually to look for the trail. I suggest you take the western part of this loop trail and combine it with something else. Skip the eastern half.

5 stars = as good as it gets! There may be better trails, but this novice has yet to encounter them. I feel accomplished after this hike!

Leading up to this trek, I conditioned on 6 previous trails (including 1 trip up Tumamoc and 2 trips along the base of this mountain—between picnic areas). This was a challenge for me, as I have chronic joint pain (mainly knees). That said, I was able to complete the loop with relatively little pain. (However, I use trekking poles, take turmeric and fish oil daily & take Aleve as needed for pain.)

FYI: there are 4 peaks (maybe it was 3, but it seems like there were 4) along this ridge, so keep that in mind, if you are a beginner like me.

TIPS: I recommend starting at the Brown Picnic Area and hiking clockwise back to the trailhead.. There is a RR and water at the 1/2-way mark: San Juan Picnic Area. One could even hike with a buddy and park one vehicle at each picnic area, if need be.

I really enjoy this hike! I have hiked along the wash (at the base—between picnic areas) twice now. The next time, I am determined to climb to the top and complete the full loop! (I have had to ease into this hiking season, due to chronic joint pain.)

TIP: If you begin at the Brown Mt Picnic area, and want to hike out to the San Jain Picnic Area (where there are RR’s and a water fountain) and back, be sure to veer to the right at The Headless Saguaro. Veering to the left will take you to the top of the mountain.

Great trail I took my dual sport on this trail and had a blast! We took the super gnarly trail up once we past the falls. Then we went to the pools as well. If you can't ride over rocks and boulders don't go. I watch two older guys and they only went about 1/2 mile down the trail and turned around because it was too rough for them